Where were Finn and I today, 25th September 2017?

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

A nice walk in the country. But where is this former railway location?

[Western Pathfinder]

Shepton Mallett ?.

[JayMac]

Shepton Mallett ?.

Sorry, no.

[LiskeardRich]

Somerset

[JayMac]

Somerset

Far too vague. And no. 

[grahame]

Somerset

Far too vague. And no. 

The "and Dorset" element ... somewhere on the way from Bath to Broadstone?

[JayMac]

Somerset

Far too vague. And no. 

The "and Dorset" element ... somewhere on the way from Bath to Broadstone?

Sorry, no.

[PhilWakely]

Tipton St John? Bridge just to the north of the cricket ground?

[JayMac]

Tipton St John? Bridge just to the north of the cricket ground?

Correct! The viaduct over the River Otter on the Sidmouth Railway branch off the LSWR^▸ (London South Western Railway) mainline to Exeter. Just before Tipton St Johns station, after which there was a branch off the branch, to Exmouth via Budleigh Salterton.

One of those country locations where today it's hard to imagine just how busy with trains it once was. Expresses between Waterloo and Sidmouth/Exmouth would split/join at Tipton St Johns. Up to 50 train movements a day in the summers of the early-mid 20th century. There were even services to Sidmouth/Exmouth from the East Midlands, via the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway to Templecombe, then LSWR to Sidmouth Junction.

Another view of the viaduct.

[PhilWakely]

A regular dog-walking location for me and my little white westie. Up until a few years ago, the trackbed of the Sidmouth branch to the south Tipton and up through Harpford Woods was also a very pleasant walk, but has become very overgrown of late.

[bobm]

You could have done with being near the cricket ground in Taunton supporting Somerset’s bid to avoid the drop!

[PhilWakely]

You could have done with being near the cricket ground in Taunton supporting Somerset’s bid to avoid the drop!

Very divided loyalties unfortunately. With me having been a Zummerzet supporter for many years and my nephew Alex now captaining Northants, I would like to see the two counties playing each other in the County Championship. So, I would like to see both counties win their final matches and meet in Division 1 next season. Sadly, after today's play (or lack of) it looks as though both will meet next year, but in Division 2.  But there is still time 

[JayMac]

You could have done with being near the cricket ground in Taunton supporting Somerset’s bid to avoid the drop!

It was mathematically a big ask. And after the first days play it's all but impossible for Somerset to avoid the drop. Their only chance is to skittle Middx cheaply tomorrow to avoid them racking up batting bonus points.

[JayMac]

I've found some cine footage online of a 1st generation DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) trip from Sidmouth to Sidmouth Junction via Tipton St Johns. A dire voice-over but interesting footage nonetheless.

Part 1: https://vimeo.com/34498799
Part 2: https://vimeo.com/34500436

[JayMac]

You could have done with being near the cricket ground in Taunton supporting Somerset’s bid to avoid the drop!

It was mathematically a big ask. And after the first days play it's all but impossible for Somerset to avoid the drop. Their only chance is to skittle Middx cheaply tomorrow to avoid them racking up batting bonus points.

Somerset are making a fight of it. They did skittle the opposition, for just 142. So no batting points for Middx. A precious 3 bowling points for Somerset.

If Somerset win the match, and my maths are correct, they will stay up, one point ahead of Middx in the table. Meaning the result of the other team facing possible relegation, Hampshire (v Warks), is irrelevant.

No rain please...